Lockheed Martin CEO says U.S. government shows interest in ‘fifth-generation-plus’ F-35 fighter

Speaking at Morgan Stanley’s Laguna Conference, Taiclet said, “I expect it will be taken to the White House sometime soon, hopefully, to consider this kind of concept.” He explained that no contract had yet been signed, but if pursued under the Pentagon’s current plan, the upgraded jet would approach sixth-generation capability over time.

The proposed aircraft could include an improved stealth coating, advanced weapons, and a new engine, all hallmarks of sixth-generation designs. By contrast, fifth-generation systems date back to innovations of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Lockheed has described the “fifth-generation-plus” model as a lower-cost option that could undercut Boeing’s sixth-generation F-47. Shares in Lockheed rose about 8% following losses earlier this year, after the company was beaten by Boeing for the F-47 contract.

Taiclet said the new jet could eventually give the US between 1,000 and 1,500 fifth-generation-plus capable aircraft, as two-thirds of the 2,300 F-35s ordered but not yet delivered are intended for US use. He added that the government has “significant interest … all the way up to the administration level, the White House level, and we’re in the middle of that with them, and we’re getting heard, we’re hearing back and it’s pretty active.”

The Lockheed chief compared the planned upgrades to a racing car overhaul, saying, “So we’re basically going to take the chassis and turn it into a Ferrari. It’s like a NASCAR upgrade, so to speak.” He emphasised that while “we still think sixth-generation aircraft should be developed,” the modified F-35 would provide “incredible value” for the US.

Taiclet added that if a contract were finalised, it may not be publicly visible due to classified content. “But I’m really quite confident that this concept has great merit,” he said, stressing that integrating advanced technology into the existing F-35 fleet could deliver major value given budget constraints.

Former President Donald Trump previously expressed interest in an upgraded F-35, suggesting a two-engine design. However, a former US Air Force pilot told Business Insider that such a proposal would effectively mean designing a new aircraft, requiring decades and substantial costs.

The fifth-generation F-35 entered service in 2015, while the sixth-generation F-47 is expected to become operational by the end of 2029, according to the US Air Force chief of staff.

Source: Business Insider.